But Tuesday night’s decision created a feel-good moment at City Hall and commissioners framed the decision as a first step in banning more plastic products.

“It’s a big night for the environment,” said Ed Russo, a board member of the nonprofit environmental group Reef Relief. “Congratulations.”

While the original language of the proposed law called for making it unlawful for anyone to use or possess a plastic straw, commissioners were in favor of amending the language so that it doesn’t seem like a new criminal law.

“I don’t like criminalizing more things,” said Commissioner Greg Davila. “We can possess an assault rifle and marijuana but won’t be able to possess a plastic straw?”

Also, commissioners want to make an exception for those who have disabilities or medical needs that require using straws.

“The whole point of this is to get voluntary compliance,” said Commissioner Sam Kaufman. “We’re not really asking the code compliance office to go to people’s homes and look for straws. The point here is to encourage the public to be more conscious as to how we’re treating our environment.”

One advocate of the ban said the timing of the new law — 2020 — is key to keeping the ban in place.

“The window of opportunity may be closing soon,” said Mark Songer, of the environmental protection group Last Stand. “It’s very important this law take effect Jan 1, 2020, prior to the next session of the Florida Legislature.”

This July 17, 2018 photo shows wrapped plastic straws at a bubble tea cafe in San Francisco. Eco-conscious San Francisco joins the city of Seattle in banning plastic straws, along with tiny coffee stirrers and cup pluggers, as part of an effort to reduce plastic waste. It also makes single-use food and drink side items available upon request and phases out the use of fluorinated wrappers and to-go containers. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Jeff Chiu
AP

“This is the first step to hopefully seeing more ordinances against single-use plastics,” said Dora DeMaria, the education manager of Reef Relief. “We care about our environment and we want to be leaders in fixing it up.”

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